Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
Opinion

Opinion: Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan trilateral co-operation has a lot of potential

6 July 2024
Vasif Huseynov

On July 3, 2024, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, and Shahbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan came together in their first trilateral summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. The summit, held on the sidelines of the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), marks a significant milestone in the growing cooperation among the three countries. It underscored an elevation of the trilateral format in their cooperation from the existing parliamentary and ministerial levels to the state leadership and as such highlighted their interest in deeper collaboration in various spheres, including economy and military.

The historical and cultural bonds between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan are well-rooted. These fraternal ties, grounded in shared cultural, historical, and religious values, have been a foundation for their partnership and proved to be important in critical moments. In 2017, the three countries made a move to launch a trilateral format for cooperation and consultations concerning common challenges and opportunities. In November of that year, they laid the groundwork for this format with Azerbaijan’s then-foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov host a trilateral meeting with his counterparts Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu of Türkiye and Khawaja Muhammad Asif of Pakistan. The three countries boosted the trilateral cooperation in the wake of Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the Second Karabakh War (2020) during which Baku received significant political support from Ankara and Islamabad.

In July 2021, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan established another dimension of the trilateral cooperation by launching the parliamentary format. The declaration of the three parliamentary speakers after their first meeting in Baku vowed to build lasting tripartite cooperation between their parliaments and was more explicit than the earlier trilateral declaration of the foreign ministers (2017) in its support of the territorial integrity of the three countries. The declaration expressed support to Azerbaijan in its efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate the liberated Karabakh territories; to Pakistan in its conflict over Jammu and Kashmir, calling for a resolution in accordance with the respective United Nations Security Council resolutions; and to Türkiye in the settlement of the disputes in Cyprus, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, on the basis of international law.

The leaders’ meeting in Astana highlighted these connections and underlined the importance of further deepening their bonds. They expressed a commitment to regular high-level meetings and continued support for each other within various platforms and international organisations. The three leaders stressed the importance of broader initiatives to bring their nations closer and proposed some steps towards this purpose.

Economic cooperation was a central theme of the trilateral discussions at the summit. The leaders emphasized the need to boost trade and economic relations, recognizing the significant potential for collaboration in various sectors, including innovation, energy, agriculture, and education. The trade relations between Pakistan and its Turkic partners are positively affected by their commitments for deeper ties.

Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with Pakistan reached a record level of 28 million USD in 2022, while Türkiye’s trade with this country also marked a record growth reaching 1.3 billion USD in that year. All three countries agree that this falls short of the real potential, and they must take more steps to strengthen economic bonds. Baku and Islamabad are expected to finalize the Preferential Trade Agreement soon, which includes tax and customs privileges on 15 or more products and services. It is expected that as a result of these privileges, the trade turnover between the two countries will exceed $40 million in the next 2-3 years.

One of the key highlights was the discussion on the Middle Corridor initiative, which is crucial for enhancing trade routes and economic integration across the region. This corridor, which passes through Azerbaijan and Türkiye, offers a strategic route connecting Asia and Europe. The commitment to developing this corridor underscores the strategic economic importance of the trilateral cooperation, promising new opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth. At the trilateral summit, Pakistan's participation in the Middle Corridor was discussed and its potential to contribute to the promotion of economic and trade relations between the countries involved was stressed.

Furthermore, defence collaboration featured prominently in the summit. The leaders discussed the importance of regular joint military exercises to strengthen their defence capabilities. The success of the "Three Brothers" military exercises held in 2021 was cited as a model for future collaborations. These exercises not only enhanced military readiness but also fostered greater understanding and interoperability among the armed forces of the three nations. The potential for joint defence production was also explored, reflecting a strategic move towards self-reliance and mutual support in defence technologies. This aspect of trilateral cooperation is particularly significant given the complex security dynamics of the wider region.

Cultural and educational exchanges were also a key focus of the summit. The leaders agreed on the importance of promoting cultural understanding and academic collaboration, aiming to strengthen the historical bonds and foster deeper connections among their peoples. Initiatives in this area include educational exchanges, joint cultural projects, and people-to-people contacts. The launch of direct flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan has significantly contributed to these contacts between the countries and bilateral tourism. The two countries are working on expanding flight connectivity and conducting flights from various cities of the two countries.

The future of the trilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan looks promising. Their collaborative efforts in economic integration, security collaboration, and cultural exchange will not only benefit their respective populations but also contribute to broader regional stability and prosperity. The commitment to regular high-level meetings and enhanced collaboration in various sectors ensures that this trilateral cooperation will continue to evolve, addressing emerging challenges and leveraging new opportunities for mutual benefit.

source: Dr Vasif Huseynov, is a Senior Advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and Adjunct Lecturer at Khazar University in Baku, Azerbaijan.
photo: The leaders of Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Turkey at their trilateral summit on 3 July 2024 (picture courtesy of the  press service of the president of Azerbaijan
The views expressed in opinion pieces and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the position of commonspace.eu or its partners

 

Latest

Editor's choice
Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: PEACE IN OUR TIME?
Trending

Monday Commentary: PEACE IN OUR TIME?

19 October 2026
Making peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan was never going to be simple, nor easy, nor quick. It is taking time, writes Dennis Sammut in this Monday Commentary. “There is a sense of realism coming from the leaders of the two countries – President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and prime minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, that frankly, is necessary and welcome”, he writes. At a time when conflicts are raging all over the world – from Ukraine to the Gulf, from Africa to South Asia, the prospect that Armenia and Azerbaijan had finally, after decades of conflict that left thousands of dead and many more displaced, decided on embarking on a journey of peace was welcomed. Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan can be top-down up to a point. Both leaders have spent political capital preparing for a peace deal. But both are aware that their people are not ready for peace yet. In fact, in Armenia, most of the elite are negative toward a peace deal with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan needs time to persuade his countryfolk. That is why 2031 is realistic. Ilham Aliyev runs a tighter shop, but he is also not immune to public opinion. Every time someone hits a landmine in Karabakh, which unfortunately happens often, peace comes into question. Which is why Aliyev chooses to sound hardline, more often than not. In pursuing the peace agenda, both Aliyev and Pashinyan need to proceed cautiously. But they are right in making peace the central issue in their agenda. It is the main issue, and the one that will define them in history. So forward, cautiously but resolutely! In pursuing the peace agenda, Aliyev and Pashinyan need to be supported clearly and unambiguously. There are too many people in Baku and Yerevan who are sitting on the sides, waiting. The international community is not doing enough. It is time to be counted. Otherwise, the spoilers will win, and the region will go back to its bad habits. (Click the image to read the full commentary).
Dennis Sammut
Editor's choice
News
UN Security Council Presidential Statement on the Role of Diplomacy during Active Hostilities
Trending

UN Security Council Presidential Statement on the Role of Diplomacy during Active Hostilities

5 November 2026
The United Nations Security Council is today expected to adopt a presidential statement on the role of diplomacy during active hostilities. The draft text, which was authored by Pakistan, underscores the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement even after the outbreak of armed conflict, with a view to containing escalation, facilitating cessations of hostilities and ceasefires, and creating conditions conducive to peaceful political settlements. Resolution 2788 of 22 July 2025, which was initiated by Pakistan, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes under Chapter VI of the UN Charter. A year later, on 23 July, the Council convened an open debate to review the resolution’s implementation and examine ways of making more effective use of the peaceful dispute settlement tools available under Chapter VI.   The draft presidential statement builds on previous Council products, such as resolution 2788, but it is the first to focus specifically on the role of diplomacy in containing and de-escalating active hostilities. Since the open debate in July, Council members have continued to call for intensified efforts towards de-escalation and dialogue, although differences persist over how proactively the Council should promote mediation and other peaceful means of dispute settlement, particularly in situations where the consent of the parties is contested. In his statement opening the general debate of the 81st session of the General Assembly on 22 September, Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the devastating consequences of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East, warning that these and other crises illustrate what happens when “force outpaces diplomacy” and stressing the urgency of sustained diplomatic engagement. The negotiations on the draft presidential statement do not appear to have been particularly contentious, although Council members expressed differing views on some elements of the text. Pakistan circulated the initial draft to Council members on 14 October. Following informal consultations with Council members to address comments on the initial draft, Pakistan circulated a first revised draft on 23 October, incorporating several proposed amendments. On 29 October, Pakistan circulated a second revised draft, which it placed under silence procedure until the following day (30 October). After the US broke silence, a third revised draft was circulated on 3 November and placed under silence procedure until this morning (4 November). The draft subsequently passed silence. The agreed presidential statement emphasises the importance of maintaining direct and indirect channels of communication between parties to armed conflict to reduce the risk of miscalculation and create opportunities for sustained political engagement. (click image to read more)

Popular

Editor's choice
Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: European-Azerbaijan relations need an intensive and multifaceted dialogue that is frank and honest
Trending

Monday Commentary: European-Azerbaijan relations need an intensive and multifaceted dialogue that is frank and honest

7 September 2026
Last week I visited Baku, Azerbaijan. My visit was relatively short, but very intensive, and had many meetings with stakeholders and colleagues. When I arrived in Baku first time in 1996,  Azerbaijan was a different country: weak, poor, and shaken by defeat in war. For thirty year the Karabakh issue dominated the agenda: the political agenda but also the popular mindset. Now, thirty years later, Azerbaijan has returned to Karabakh, and peace with Armenia is on the horizon. It is a new era for Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, for the South Caucasus, but also for Europe.  But we cannot be complacent: the Peace agreement has been initialed but not signed; borders remain closed; TRIPP is ambitious but remains an idea; and there are spoilers who want to turn the clock back. We must not allow them, and in this Europe and Azerbaijan must work together. Europe’ vanguard organization is the European Union – it is a free union of 27 member states; it is a strong global economic force, and increasingly a diplomatic and military force too. But it remains “work in progress” and can often appear dysfunctional. It often lacks collective and institutional memory. In its dealings with Azerbaijan the EU has made many mistakes – not least opening the delegation here late – in 2008. It sometimes appears condescending. Some utterances from the European Parliament and from some quarters in some member states are not understandable even for me. They irritate the Azerbaijanis, but serve no other purpose But Azerbaijan has also not handled relations with the EU well. It has failed to respond when the hand of friendship reached out; and it confused irritating actions, sometimes by well-meaning people; sometimes by outright spoilers, with strategic action. In short, EU-Azerbaijan relations have suffered from a lack of proper dialogue. This dialogue must be frank, honest and multi-faceted involving different segments of society on both sides.   Is Azerbaijan Europe? When Azerbaijan applied to join the Council of Europe in the 1990s, there were some who opposed, saying this was not Europe. I was one of the people who argued that Armenia and Azerbaijan may be on the periphery of the continent geographically, but were European in essence. Certainly their elites. During the discussion on 4 September in Baku, my friend Farhad Mammedov, mentioned that Azerbaijan is not interested in joining the EU, and was now close to the Central Asian countries in the 5 plus 1 format. Neither things mean that Azerbaijan is not Europe. There are several European countries that are not in the EU, and do not want to be, for example Norway and Switzerland. Iceland has recently voted to stay out of the EU. The UK was a member and left. Europe is bigger than the EU, and the holding of the European Political Community summit in Baku in 2027 proves that. Despite all the rhetoric, I never heard the president of Azerbaijan  saying that Azerbaijan is not Europe, nor have I heard any European president say it either. Not wanting to join the EU and forging close relations with neighbouring regions does not make Azerbaijan any less European. It is only logical that when Europeans talk to Azerbaijan they talk like family. The conversation is often frank. It must also be honest, and Europeans need always to remember this too. A frank, honest and multi-faceted dialogue A frank, honest and multifaceted dialogue will contribute to relations between Azerbaijan and the rest of Europe: it will avoid misperception, which unfortunately is very common on both sides; it will provide a forum where problems can be discussed and resolved, and it will increase mutual trust, so that together common problems can be addressed. (click image to read the full Monday Commentary)
Dennis Sammut
Editor's choice
Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: “The barren rocks of Aden” and “These lands of Yemen are so ruthless”
Trending

Monday Commentary: “The barren rocks of Aden” and “These lands of Yemen are so ruthless”

21 September 2026
There are two early 20th-century tunes that mark foreign attempts to occupy and “pacify” Yemen. The Scottish tune “The barren rocks of Aden” marks the mobilisation of Highland soldiers, enlisted to be deployed to the Yemeni port of Aden, that in 1837 became the last colony to be incorporated into the British Empire. The tune talks of the harshness of the terrain, but is celebratory, It was even played as a farewell tune to Sir William Luce at the parade in Sharjah celebrating his end as “British Viceroy” in the Middle East in 1966. The second tune is an Anatolian lament. As Ilker Sezer reminded us this weekend, in his weekly feature on “Turkiye Today”, it “mourns the tragic fate of Ottoman soldiers dispatched to the harsh, remote deserts of Yemen during the fall of the empire, young men who marched away from their villages and never returned home. Most of their names, and numbers, were never recorded. Yet, their fate left a mark on the Turkish psyche.” Subsequent invaders have discovered that Yemen is a grave that cannot be overcome by the strength of modern technology, and that whilst Yemeni society is splintered and divided, building a reliable alliance with Yemeni factions is difficult. These are the harsh lessons facing Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom faces its biggest challenge in its modern history. The leadership of the Kingdom now has to respond decisively. At stake is their very credibility. This is likely to be a long and messy conflict. Saudi military objectives need to be focused: to box in the Houthis rather than destroy them. This is likely to include: (a) regaining territory lost on the Red Sea coast; (b) control over Bab el Mandeb Strait; (c) some kind of cordon sanitaire on the Saudi-Yemeni border; and if things go well (d) the capture of Sanaa. All this would not eliminate the Houthi problem, but it will contain it. In the end the Saudis will have to continue managing Yemen with a mixture of carrot and stick. For the moment, the stick is likely, but the carrot cannot be forgotten either. (click the image to read the Monday Commentary in full)
Dennis Sammut